Blackman Township authorities warn of Craigslist housing scam

A person browsing the popular online classified service Craigslist alerted the Blackman Township Department of Public Safety to a possible rental housing scam.

Public Safety Director Michael Jester said the department learned of one home in Blackman Township that was listed for rent by scammers possibly operating outside the United States.

According to the department, scammers place on Craigslist houses for rent that are legitimately listed with local Realtors. The scammers say they own the homes but need people to rent them because they have moved out of the country on business. The scammers promise to send a rental agreement and key after receiving a $500 deposit, a department news release said.

Jester said the person who told the department of the possible scam became suspicious before sending any money.

The department warned that any requests for money over the Internet should be considered suspicious. Other scams have asked people to send money to cover taxes and administrative costs associated with fake lottery winnings.